Kenya National Team Turkish Head Coach, Engin Firat has lauded Malawi’s “special” hospitality after humane treatment in the country for six days when they participated in the Four-Nation Tournament that the Football Association of Malawi hosted.
FAM managed to host two tournaments for both Senior and Junior teams during the FIFA International Break as the preparations for the African Cup of Nations and World Cup Qualifiers.
Kenya was crowned the Champions of the Senior teams’ competition after ruthlessly thumping Malawi 4-0 and Zimbabwe 3-1 with Captain, Michael Olunga single-handly powering the team to success as he plundered five goals in two games, a brace against Flames and a hat-trick against the Warriors.
Speaking after the game against Zimbabwe on Tuesday afternoon at Bingu National Stadium, the Turkish gaffer said Malawi expressed special and different hospitality.
“I have been in different countries but Malawi is something different, something special,” he told the Press.
“Malawi has shown us great hospitality and what has impressed me most is that I have seen smiling faces and I don’t take it for granted. We thank you for this way of life that you have shown to us.”
The State President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday evening last week hosted all the teams that participated in the tournament at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe as he treated them to dinner and a performance by the legendary musician, Lawi and the National Dance Troupe.
Addressing the teams, Chakwera said football connects and breaks barriers among the nations.
“Football unites people of different backgrounds as they share joys and sorrows. Through this tournament, we are strengthening our partners with other nations who we do business with,” he said.
Football Association of Malawi President, Fleetwood Haiya said the tournament demonstrated the partnership of unity among the four Associations.
“The tournament was a huge success in terms of its organization, opportunities for competing nations, and associated benefits.
“As FAM we would like to acknowledge the immense support that we received from various stakeholders.
“Particularly special thanks go to the State President Dr Lazarus Chakwera for his unwavering support of us during the entire tournament.
“In the same breadth, we salute the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Malawi Police Service, First Capital Bank, Malawi, Airtel Malawi, Lilongwe District Council, The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the local organizing committee, all football stakeholders who made the soccer fiesta a reality,” writes on his Facebook Page.
Bob Mpinganjira’s Malawi U-20 were crowned the Champions of the Juniors’ competition after beating both Zimbabwe (3-2) and Kenya (3-1).
